My favorite word in Spanish is “mamá.” It is a very simple word that has its identical equivalents in every language. Mom, mamma, mamãe, 쮜쮜, 엄마, anne, Mама, 徊徊. A simple word with so many meanings. When I was a child, “mamá” was the word that saved me from nightmares, pain, boredom, and distress. “Mamá” …
Tag: Spain
The Bearded Bare Man Bearing A Bear
I was in Bilbao, the city of my birth, for a few days before coming back to New York. It was a sunny day, perfect for a little hike into the forest near Bilbao. It was the beginning of fall, and I like to take advantage of that season to forage mushrooms. Luckily, it was …
I’m Sorry, English Is Not My First Language
I looked up “equivocarse” in the dictionary
because I make so many mistakes
in this city, in this language,
that I want to be sure how to err correctly.
Impossibilities in an All-Possible City
I grew up in La Pobla de Farnals, in Valencia, Spain. The weather there is always warm. From the window of my bedroom, I could always see the beautiful mountainside and breathe the fresh scent of the mountain air. One thing wonderful about living in the country is the sound of silence. It always made …
Haikus About My Town
This orange autumn picks up its fruits and its leaves. Views of bare vineyards. Some roasted chestnuts are sold at a corner stand. Warm smell of firewood. Children run around enjoying a fearless time. Catch the ball and move. Coats and umbrellas cover the streets of color. Listen to the rain. A bowl of hot …